Douglas County set to sell tax foreclosed properties, six years after the delinquent owners last paid

While the Douglas County government tends to give local property owners a few years to pay back taxes, it could take five years — or even more — before it sells those properties to recoup lost tax revenue.

Douglas County will soon offer a tax foreclosure sale on properties that have not paid their taxes. But the properties that will be up for sale include four parcels of land that have not paid county taxes since 2013, about six years ago.

Jeff Heiman, a local attorney who processes the tax foreclosure lawsuits for the county, said the process to sell those properties took longer than he expected.

Baldwin City to ask KDOT to help with multiuse trail on Midland Railway easement

After purchasing a multiuse easement along the length of Midland Railway in April 2018, Baldwin City will soon apply for a Kansas Department of Transportation grant to help install a concrete trail on the section of the easement within the city limits.

Baldwin City Administrator Glenn Rodden said the city would apply in October for a KDOT transportation enhancement grant that would provide 80% of the construction cost of the trail. The trail would follow about 4,000 feet of track from the south side of U.S. Highway 56 to Lawrence Avenue on the east side of town.

Healy USD 468 drops to 44 students

The kindergarten through 12th grade headcount this month for the entire Healy school district, based in Lane County, was 44.

Superintendent Cheryl Cook said that represented a new low. She also said there are no first-graders in the school district.

Fifteen of the 44 students live in other school districts, including in the Scott City, Dighton and Gove areas.

A year ago the headcount for the district was 52, but by the end of the school year in May, enrollment had dropped to 46, Cook said.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-09-26T19:15:47-05:00September 26, 2019|News|

Dollar store food requirement rule tabled

Some Hutchinson Planning Commission members showed no interest Tuesday in pursuing regulations that would require future dollar stores to dedicate a certain percentage of space for fresh foods, but they voted to return to the subject Oct. 8.

City staff is recommending an amendment to zoning regulations that would require new small-box variety stores or dollar stores to obtain a conditional use permit and have a design standard of a minimum of 10% of retail floor area dedicated to the sale of fresh food and fresh frozen food.

“What we are talking about is not a ban on these stores,” said city planning and development director Ryan Hvitlok, but a “minimal” regulation that would align with the city’s 20-year Comprehensive Plan that promotes access to healthy food options.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-09-26T19:14:00-05:00September 26, 2019|News|

Restaurants wanting to use Naftzger Park for patio seats strike deal with board

Restaurants that want to use Naftzger Park land for outdoor dining and drinking have struck a deal with a Wichita board.

The agreement unanimously approved by the Board of Park Commissioners on Wednesday reduces the space available to the restaurants and does not allow fencing to enclose the patio area. The use agreement now goes to the City Council for ratification.

Jon Rolph’s Thrive Restaurant Group plans a HomeGrown restaurant and a new Peace Love & Pie concept in the downtown Spaghetti Works District.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2019-09-26T19:12:49-05:00September 26, 2019|News|

Couple steps in to save Kansas cafe known for German buffet that closed after flood

They’ve become pretty good bakers and meat smokers, and with 17 years of experience selling food on their resumes, Mark and Kris Wiebe think they’d be pretty good at running a restaurant.

But that’s not their only reason for reopening the Main Street Cafe, the small-town Kansas restaurant that’s been closed since a Fourth of July flood.

Mark grew up just two miles outside of Durham, where the cafe has operated for more than two decades. So he knows first-hand how important the presence of a restaurant can be for small communities.

(Read more: Dining With Denise Neil |)

Ranson Financial2019-09-26T19:10:09-05:00September 26, 2019|News|

Newton follows teens’ lead in raising age limit

On the heels of a second death attributed to vaping products in Kansas announced this week, the Newton City Commission took action on a request from high school students this summer to move the legal age of purchase for tobacco and e-cigarettes to 21.

“When I first came here with three other students, we all understood that any change could be a good change,” said Eli Reddington, president of STAND at Newton High School. “We have been seeing this problem in Newton High School, and it is everywhere. We are social media. … Any change that can help stop someone from getting addicted to nicotine is a good change.”

“My guess is in the health industry we are going to see the effects of this from our youth,” said Val Gleason, president and CEO of Newton Medical Center. “Their lung damage is severe. … We don’t know if it is reversible, and it is serious.”

Ranson Financial2019-09-26T19:07:38-05:00September 26, 2019|News|

Dodge City forms census committee

In preparation for the 2020 census, the first Dodge City Complete Count Committee has been formed with community leaders and stakeholders to develop and implement a plan to get every Ford County resident counted in the decennial census.

The committee’s goal will be to increase the accuracy of the census within the community, which is an area with historically low participation in the census.

“A complete and accurate count of every resident in southwest Kansas is critical to ensuring all of our families and communities can thrive,” said Kansas Appleseed campaign director Blanca Soto. “Counting everyone ensures Dodge City and every community in Kansas will have the resources and representation that accurately reflect our diverse population.”

Ranson Financial2019-09-26T19:06:10-05:00September 26, 2019|News|

County, wind farm representatives disagree on flood damage to roads

A Friday county commission meeting to discuss road maintenance issues with Enel Green Power, the company developing Diamond Vista wind farm in the northern section of the county, and talk to Expedition Wind about future development of a wind farm in the southern portion of the county stayed civil despite a packed house.

Commissioners first discussed road damage caused by July storms weeks ago and county engineer Brice Goebel said Enel Green Power did not consider it their responsibility to repair that damage. Commissioners disagreed, since damage caused by rain is to be expected in Kansas.

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Ranson Financial2019-09-26T19:03:45-05:00September 26, 2019|News|

Shawnee County adopts $8 million budget to develop Family Park

A divided Shawnee County Commission adopted an $8 million budget Thursday for a project to develop a Family Park just south of S.W. 21st and Urish Road.

Commissioners voted 2-1 to approve a proposal containing that figure, with Commissioners Bob Archer and Bill Riphahn voting in the majority.

Commissioner Kevin Cook dissented, noting that Thursday’s meeting was Archer’s last on the commission.

“A new commissioner, who will have to live with this decision, is coming on board,” Cook said.

Ranson Financial2019-09-26T19:02:43-05:00September 26, 2019|News|

Douglas County set to sell tax foreclosed properties, six years after the delinquent owners last paid

Baldwin City to ask KDOT to help with multiuse trail on Midland Railway easement

Healy USD 468 drops to 44 students

Dollar store food requirement rule tabled

Restaurants wanting to use Naftzger Park for patio seats strike deal with board

Couple steps in to save Kansas cafe known for German buffet that closed after flood

Newton follows teens’ lead in raising age limit

Dodge City forms census committee

County, wind farm representatives disagree on flood damage to roads

Shawnee County adopts $8 million budget to develop Family Park

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